Warren Buffett's deputy says a million people want to be as successful as his boss—but the vast majority fall short because they get complacent

Todd Combs chats with attendees after the "Berkshire Hathaway Invest In Yourself 5K" race on the sidelines of the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting on May 4, 2014. (Credit: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Countless people dream of achieving as much success as Warren Buffett, according to one of the Oracle of Omaha’s top lieutenants—but he says they never get close because they stop trying when they get comfortable.

In a recently released episode of the Art of Investing podcast, Todd Combs—an investment officer at Buffett’s conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway—took part in a wide-ranging interview that covered career advice, investment strategy and his mom’s high expectations.